A BUSINESS student who attacked three teenage Argentinian rugby players with a sharp object in a drunken nightclub assault has been given a three-year sentence, with the final year suspended.

Sean Flood (20) hit out at the young men with what is believed to be a key after consuming alcohol and head shop drugs. He has since embarked on a business studies degree and has not come to any further garda attention.

Flood of Rathmines Close, Upper Rathmines, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to the three young men at Club 21, D’Olier Street on October 10, 2010. He has two previous convictions including one for assault.

Judge Martin Nolan said he had no doubt that Flood had reformed and rehabilitated himself but the crime in this case was too serious not to impose a custodial sentence and he must be punished.

Judge Nolan imposed a three year sentence and suspended the final year on conditions. He said he did not think this was an appropriate case for compensation or a token of remorse.

Garda Kevin Molyneux told Garret Baker BL, prosecuting, that the three young men were part of a visiting team of teenage Argentinian rugby players who were on a tour of the UK and Ireland. They had been in Ireland three days when they visited Club 21.

The most seriously injured young man saw two of his friends being pushed around on the dance floor. He went to investigate and saw his friend being punched by Flood. Flood then came up to him trying to provoke him.

Flood struck out and caught him on the side of the neck. He did not see a weapon but felt blood on his face and later required 13 stiches to the wound on his neck. He was able to point Flood out to security outside.

His friend who had been punched also discovered blood on his face but did not require stiches to the five inch cut to his face. He said he had noticed something in Flood’s hand.

A third young man had noticed people gathered around his friends and had come to help them. The situation started to escalate and he was attacked by Flood and slashed on the face with something sharp.

Gda Molyneux agreed with Sean Gillane SC, defending, that it was very evident that Flood had abused alcohol and head shop drugs on the night. He agreed Flood had apologised and seemed to have put drug abuse behind him.

Mr Gillane said he had been instructed that the small sharp object Flood carried was a key. He said there was €5,000 available as a token of remorse.

He said Flood’s domestic life was unremarkable and he came from a stable decent family.

Counsel said Flood was now in the second year of a three year business degree. He handed in testimonials from Flood’s football and rowing club.

He submitted his client was at a cross roads in his life and urged the court to consider a non custodial sentence.